Horse Riding Tours in Kyrgyzstan

Horse riding tours in Kyrgyzstan take you where roads end: across high-mountain pastures (jailoo), over Tian Shan passes and down to alpine lakes such as Song-Kol, Kel-Suu and Sary-Chelek. Horses are still part of everyday nomadic life here, so you ride with local horsemen, sleep in yurt camps or tents and share the pastures with shepherd families and their herds. Below you'll find all our horseback tours, from a 3-day first ride to Song-Kol to 10-day expeditions deep into the mountains.

Why ride a horse in Kyrgyzstan

More than 90% of Kyrgyzstan is mountains, and many of its most beautiful places can only be reached on foot or on horseback. Horse trekking lets you cover real distances without carrying a heavy backpack, and it is the traditional way to travel between summer pastures. Kyrgyz horses are small, calm and sure-footed on steep trails, which makes them a good choice for beginners as well as experienced riders.

Choose your horse riding tour

Tour	Days	Best for
3-Day Horseback Adventure to Song-Kol Lake	3	First-time riders, short trips
Jeti-Oguz & Oguz-Bashy Horseback Adventure	4	Combining with Issyk-Kul and Karakol
Nomadic Horseback Expedition to Kol-Ukok & Ukok Pass	5	Alpine lake and a mountain pass in a few days
Arabel Plateau Horseback Expedition	5	High plateau, glaciers and wide open spaces
Kel-Suu Lake via Bogoshtu Pass	6	Remote turquoise lake near the Chinese border
Alatay National Park & Sary-Chelek	6	Forests and lakes of southern Kyrgyzstan
Alay Heights	6	The Alay range and Pamir views
Aflatun to Sary-Chelek Horseback Voyage	7	Small groups, from Aflatun to Sary-Chelek Lake
Horseback Riding & Nomadic Culture Tour	8	Riding plus nomadic traditions
Toktogul to Arslanbob Horseback Tour	8	A long ride through the south
Kel-Suu Horseback Expedition	10	Experienced riders, remote wilderness
Nomadic Horseback Riding: Discover the Spirit of Kyrgyzstan	10	The full nomadic journey
Winter Horseback Riding to Song-Kol Lake	3	Snowy landscapes in winter
Winter Nomadic Horseback Expedition – Song-Kol & Issyk-Kul	8	A longer winter adventure

Not sure which route fits you? Tell us your dates and riding experience and we will suggest the best option or build a private horse trek for your group.

Do I need riding experience?

No experience is needed for our shorter tours, such as the 3-day ride to Song-Kol Lake. Local horsemen choose a calm horse for you, show you the basics and ride with the group all the way. Longer expeditions of 7–10 days cross high passes and spend many hours in the saddle, so they suit riders who are comfortable on a horse and in good physical shape. Before you go, read our 7 safety rules for horseback riding in Kyrgyzstan.

Best time for horse riding in Kyrgyzstan

The main horse riding season runs from June to September. This is when shepherd families move their herds up to the summer pastures, the passes are open and yurt camps operate around Song-Kol and other high lakes. July and August are the warmest months; June brings green valleys and wildflowers, and September offers clear skies and autumn colours. For a different experience, we also run winter horseback tours to Song-Kol and Issyk-Kul.

What a horse trek looks like

A typical day starts after breakfast in camp, with several hours of riding through valleys and over passes, a lunch stop on the pasture and arrival at the next camp in the afternoon. Depending on the route, nights are spent in yurt camps or tents. Your guide and local horsemen take care of the horses, the route and the logistics, so you can simply enjoy the ride.

Frequently asked questions

Which horse riding tour is best for beginners?

Start with the 3-day ride to Song-Kol Lake. It is short, the pace is easy and you spend the nights in a yurt camp on the shore of the lake. After that, many guests come back for a longer expedition.

What is the difference between a short ride and an expedition?

Tours of 3–5 days focus on one lake or valley and have shorter riding days. Expeditions of 6–10 days cross several passes, reach remote places like Kel-Suu or Sary-Chelek and involve longer days in the saddle, so they need more stamina.

Can I go horse riding in Kyrgyzstan in winter?

Yes. Besides the summer season from June to September, we run winter horseback tours to Song-Kol and an 8-day winter expedition to Song-Kol and Issyk-Kul.

Can you organise a private horse riding tour?

Yes. Any of our routes can be run as a private tour for your family or group, and we can combine horse riding with trekking or cultural tours. Contact us with your dates and group size.